Flood memories remain strong for some

The flood waters of 2013 rose so quickly that many people were still in their homes and businesses when the buildings became surrounded in rising water. (File photo / Estes Park Trail-Gazette)

If you're a business owner in downtown Estes Park, it's quiet likely you'll have no problem recalling Sept. 14, 2013.

That's the day that flows from Fall River, the Big Thompson River, and Black Canyon Creek merged to put a large part of the downtown area under 18-24 inches of water.

The water came up so fast that morning that many business owners were caught off guard and relied on customers and friends to help pick up items off the floor and move them to higher spaces.

When the water finally started to recede ... well, that's when reality for business owners began to sink in.

"It was so weird," said Rob Pieper, the long-time owner of Poppy's Pizza and Grill, 342 E. Elkhorn Ave. "Everyone was so in the moment. It was like all of a sudden 'let's get the mud out.' Then it was something else. Things just piled up.

"But, looking back, we got a lot accomplished (in the first few hours). At the time, it was trying to get by day by day.

"I'd never gone through anything like that before. I really didn't know what the next step was for us. So, we just did this and then we would do that."

At times, Pieper admits, it was all a bit overwhelming. Not only was there serious damage to his restaurant but also to Mama Rose's, the nearby restaurant that his wife, Julie, operates and manages.

Between the two businesses, Pieper estimates that there was just over $300,000 in damages.

"We're still paying back our debt," Pieper said. "It will probably be another year or two before we're done."

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Besides the financial damage, Pieper said there's been emotion damage as well.

"Psychologically, I was harboring some emotions ... bitterness, guilt, feeling sorry for myself," Pieper said. "I knew there were some others impacted worse than me. I guess that I was hurt that I was concentrating more on myself instead of others."

But, Pieper worked his way through it and now believes he is a stronger person for having gone through the flood recovery.

"Oh, definitely," he said. "When I start feeling down now, I just look back at where we were. This was the biggest challenge of my life."

Going from the lowest point in his life three years ago to where he is now -- "I'm better than OK" -- gives Pieper a better outlook on life.

"It's amazing what a couple years can do to one's perspective," he said.

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